Acetylene-gas generator.



N0. 680,]6l. Patented Aug. 6, 190i.

E. S. MARTINDALE.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Oct. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l. A9

. I T J 17 "m: Noam PETERS co. mm'ouma. wnmnsfcn. n. c.

No. 680,161. Patented Aug. 6, I901.

E. s. MARTINDALE.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Oct. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheat-2.

No. 680,!6l. Patented Aug. 6, l90|. E. S. MARTINDALE.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Applicati m filed Oct. 17, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

No. 680,!6I. Patented Aug. 6, 190i.

E. S. MARTINDALE. ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Oct. 17, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4,

8 wd rd Sffkzrfdrdrle .17 far/1g 3 UNITED STATES I Enron.

PATENT EDVARD S. MARTINDALE, OF WARREN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE KINNEAR MFG. 00., LIMITED, OF SAME PLACE.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,161, dated August 6, 1901;

Application filed October 17, 1899. Serial No.733,896. (Non10del.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. EDWARD S. MARTIN- DALE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Warren, in the countyof Warren and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in acetylene-gas generators of the type in which given quantities of carbid are successively and automatically supplied to the wate'rof the generating-chamber through the medium of mechanism operated by the movement of the gasometer-bell, so that the supply of carbid to the generator will be proportionate to the consumption of the gas.

It is the main object of the invention to provide an improved carbid-holder containin g a series of receptacles for carbid, together with mechanism operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer, whereby said receptacles are allowed to successively drop into the water of the generating-chamber.

Other objects of the invention relate to certain details of construction and operation of parts which will more clearly hereinafter appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which myiuvention is illustrated, Figure 1 is a top plan view. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the generator with the cover removed. Fig. 4 is a central vertical section of the generator. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the gasometer,'showing the means for operating the discharge apparatus of the carbid-container. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the generator, taken on the line 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a similar section taken on the line 7 of Fig. 3, the pipe 12 and funnel 13 being shown in elevation. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the carbid-container. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a bail. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of one of the carbid-buckets. Fig. 11 is a view in elevation of the carbidholder, and Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective View of a detail.

The numeral 1 indicates the generator, and 2 the gasometer, having a filling lip or funnel 2 and working within which is a bell 3. The gasometer is of the usual or any preferred construction and need not be more particularly described. The outer casing of the generator is denoted by the numeral 4. This outer casing is provided at a suitable distance from its lower end with a false bottom 5, which affords the bottom of the generating-chamber proper. The wall of said generating-chamber is formed by a cylinder 6, supported on the bottom 5 and concentric with the outer casing 4. The space between the cylinders 4 and 6 is supplied with water and afiords a seal for the cylindrical cover 7 of the generator. This cover in practice is held down by any suitable means, such as the bar 8, having one end inserted in a keeper 9 and its opposite end inserted beneath a catch 10. Water is supplied to the generating chamber or cylin der 6 by means of a pipe 11, which passes through the casing 4 and up through the bottom 5. On the outside of the casing'pipe 11 connects with a vertical pipe 12, having at its upper end a flaring mouth 13, into which the water is poured for supplying the generating-chamber. The space between the cyl- I inders 4 and 6 is supplied with water through a spout 14, at the bottom of which is an opening leading into the interior of the casing 4. Leading from the bottom of the generatingchamber and through the casing 4 is a pipe 15, having a valve 16, the purpose of which pipe is to permit sediment to be drawn out of the generating-chamber.

Thenumeral 17 indicates the pipe connecting the generator with the gasometer. Within the generator this pipe has a vertical extension 18, reaching nearly to the top of the generating-chamber. A branch pipe 19 leads from the pipe 17 into the gasometer, where it has an upward extension affording an escapepipe from the gasometer, as usual.

The numeral 19 indicates the service-pipe leading from the gasometer. The escape to the outer air is through a pipe 20, tapped into the branch pipe 19. At the junction of branch pipe 19 with the pipe 17 I provide a threeway valve 21, operated by a rod 22, having at its upper end a horizontal extension 23, which when the valve is in a position to permit the gas to flow from the generator through pipe 17 into the gasometer projects overthe generator and gasometer and open communication from the generator into escape-pipe 20, so thatany gas in the generator may escape before the cover thereof is removed.

The numerals 20", 20", and 20v indicate heads on the bell of the gasometer for receiving vertical extensions of the pipes 17, 19, an 19 within the gasometer, as usual.

My improved carbid-holder comprises a 1101- low cylindrical head 24, Fig. 11, which is designed to be inserted in the cylinder 6 and has around its upper edge a bead or flange 25, which rests upon the upper edge of said cylinder. Secured in the head 24 and extending around the same at equal distances from each other are a series of tubes 26, which project some distance downward from the under side of said head. The head 24 is of a thickness or depth to extend to the normal water-level of the generator, as shown in Fig. 4, the said water-level being indicated by the line as m, and the space between the tubes 26 and a central tube 33, referred to later on, is closed by the top and bottom, respectively, of the head 24. In other words, the top and bottom of the head are provided with alining openings in which the various tubes are inserted and secured, as more clearlyindicated in Figs. 3 and 8. By this construction I reduce the air-space in the generator to the minimum, and thereby add greatly to the safety of the apparatus, as it is well known that air combined with acetylene gas produces a highly-explosive mixture. Each of the tubes 26 is provided near its bottom with two rows of apertures 26 and 26 respectively, which extend entirely around the tube and on opposite inner sides, respectively, with longitudinal guide grooves 27 extending throughout their length, in each pair of which grooves is slidably mounted a rectangular bail 28, having its upper ends connected bya plat-e 29, provided with a central rectangular slot 30. The plates 29 are longer than the diameter of the tubes 26, so that they will rest upon the upper edges of said tubes and support the bails 28, which are of a length to extend a considerable distance below the bottoms of the tubes, as shown in Figs. 4 and 11. Near the inner end of each of these plates is pivoted a triplever 31, the forward end of which is curved to provide a hook or catch 32 and the rear ends of which project overa central tube'33,

outer end a ratchet-wheel 49.

naled a rod 36, having its opposite ends bent at right angles, as shown at 37 38. The bent end 37 extends centrally across and is firmly secured to the upper side of a circular disk 39, which forms a cover for the bucket. The rod 36 extends through an opening 40 in the bottom 41 of the bucket, and its bent end 38 is adapted to engage with a spring-catch 42, secured on said bottom, whereby to hold the cover 39 in a closed position. By releasing the arm 38 from the spring-catch 42 and turning it to one side the cover 39 is removed and the bucket may be filled with carbid. Centrally of the bent end or arm 37 of each bucket is secured a staple 43, which is adapted to extend upward through the slot 30 and to be locked therein by having the hook 32 of triplever 31 turned into engagement with said staple. By this means the various buckets are held suspended over the water ofv the generating-chamber. Extending around each bucket, near the top edge thereof, is a row of holes 34 which when the bucket rests upon the bottom of a bail 28 will occupya position midway between the two rows of apertures 26 and 26* in the tube 26. The means for automatically tripping the levers 31 to permit the buckets to fallwill now be described.

Extending through and secured in the center of the false bottom 5 is a Vertical pipe 44, which forms a guard for a rod 45, extending upward through said tube. On the lower end of said rod is a bevel-gear 46, which meshes with a similar gear 47, secured on the end of a horizontal rod 48. The rod 48 extends through the outer casing 4, being journaled therein in suitable bearings, and has on its Pivotally mounted on the end of rod 48 is an arm 50, which carries at its outer end a weighted dog 51 for engaging the teeth of said ratchetwheeL- To the outer end of arm 50 is also pivot-ally connected a long vertical rod 52, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to a bifurcated lever-arm 53, which in turn is pivotally mounted on the gasometer. Suspended from the top of the gasometer-bell by means of a bracket 53 is a long troughshaped or three-sided guide 54, which is provided in what may be termed the bottom of the trough with an elongated opening 55, through which the bifurcated arm 53 extends. Secured in and. extending between the side walls of said opening is a pin 56, which is adapted to engage in the slot 57 of the bifurcated arm 53. 1 The rod .45 projects a short distance above the upper end of the pipe 44, and such projecting portion is screwthreaded.

The numeral 58 indicates a nut, which is screwed on this projecting portion and acts as a washer to close the top of pipe 44.

The numeral 59 indicates a metal plate having a slot 60 in one end, as shown in Fig. 12, by means of which it may be inserted on the projecting end of the rod 45 and clamped thereon by a nut 61 to turn therewith. The

IIO

-the trip-levers 31 and operates to successively release the hooks 32 from the staples 43.

Secured on one side of the central tube 33 is a hood 63, which when the carbid-holder is inserted in the generator fits loosely over the upper end of the vertical pipe 18. Surrounding this hood and supported in the tube 33 in any suitable manner, preferably on wirenetting 64, secured in said tube, is a mass of filtering material 65, such as raw cotton. The wire-netting is located above the bottom of the hood 63 and is cut away to permit the pipe 44 to extend upward through the same. The operation of the device is as follows: The buckets 34 being suspended on the hooks 32, as previously described, the gasometerbell may be raised and lowered by hand to start the device. As the bell rises the pin 56 causes the arm 53 to rise and the dog 51 to ride over the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 49. As the bell descends the dog engages the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and through the gearing described revolves rod 45, so that the finger 62 will strike one of the trip-levers 31 and turn it on its pivot, thereby releasing the hook 32 from the staple 43 of a bucket 34 and permitting said bucketto fall upon the bottom. of bail 28 and be submerged in the water of the generating-chamber; As the water passes'through the openings 34--and attacks the carbid a violent ebullition occurs, with the result that the spent carbid or lime and water will be forced bythe gas through. the apertures 34, the lime falling down in the space between the bucket and tube to the bottom of the chamber 6. The apertures 26 and 26 permit and insure the ready circulation of water about the tops of the carbid buckets. As the gas escapes from the apertures 34 and passes up the tube 26 a suction. is created in said tube and the water is drawn in through the apertures 26 and 26, thus causing a circulation of the water, as stated, and facilitating the free discharge of the lime, as described. By permitting the bottoms of the buckets to fall well below the bottoms of the tubes 26 I reduce the amount of space between the buckets and tubes in which the residuum could collect and interfere with the raising and lowering of the buckets. The gas generated passes up the tube 26 to the space beneath the top of the cover 7 of the generator, thence down 'in the tube 33, and into and through the pipe 18 to the gasometer, and it must first pass down through the filtering material before it can escape through the pipe 18 to the gasometer by reason of the hood 63 covering the end of said pipe and having its open end extended down below the body of filtering material. As the gas passes into the gasometer the bell rises, the pin 56 turning the arm 53, as before, and as the bell continues to rise said pin leaves the slot 57, and the arm 53 rests against the bottom of the trough or guide 54, whereby it is prevented from falling or being accidentally turned downward to release a second bucket until the gasometer bell again descends. fholds the arm 53 in proper position, so that This trough or guide also the pin 56 will'enter the slot 57 when the bell again descends, and cause the rod 45 to be revolved, whereby the finger 62 will engage a second trip lever and release the bucket suspended thereby. This operation continues until all the buckets have fallen. When the buckets are to be recharged, the operator seizes the plate 29 and draws the bail 28 upward, thereby raising the bucket above the top of tube 26, so that. the bucket can be removed by hand. The arm 38 is then turned to one side to remove the cover from the bucket, and the latter is then charged with carbid, after which the arm 38 is again turned into engagement with the spring catch 42 to closethe bucket. The bucket is then replaced in the tube 26 and suspended in the bail 28 by having its staple engaged by the hook 32, as previously explained. The bail is then pushed down in the tube until plate 29'rests upon the top thereof. After all the buckets have been filled and suspended from their respective bails the machine is again ready for operation.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating-chamber and with the gasometer, of a series of plates supported in the upper part of the generatingchamber, said plates having each an opening, a series of buckets having each a staple designed to be inserted through the openings in the respective plates, a series of levers, one of which is pivoted on each of said plates and has a hook adapted to engage in the staple inserted through the opening of its plate, and means operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer to successively trip said levers to release them from engagement with the staples and permit the buckets to fall, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating chamber and with the gasometer, of a head adapted to be inserted and supported in the upper part of the generating-chamber and provided with a series of tubes, a series of rectangular bails one of which is slidably mounted in each of said tubes, a series of buckets, means for suspending said buckets from the bails and within said tubes, and means operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer to release said buckets and permit them to fall, substantially as described.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating-chamber and with the gasometer, of a head adapted to be inserted and supported in the upper part of IIO the generating-chamber and provided with a, series of tubes, a series of rectangular bails one of which is slidably mounted in each of said tubes and has its side bars connected at their upper ends by an apertured plate which is of a length to adapt it to rest upon the upper edge of its tube, a trip-lever pivotally mounted on each of said plates and haviuga hooked end, a series of buckets adapted to be inserted in said tubes and each of said buckets having a staple which may be passed through the aperture in any one of said plates and be engaged by the hooked end of the trip-lever, and means operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer t0 successively release said .levers from engagement with said staples and permit the buckets to fall, substantially as described.

4. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating-chamber and with the gasometer, ot' a head adapted to be inserted and supported in the upper part of the generating-chamber and provided with a series of tubes having longitudinal guidegrooves, a series of rectangular bails, one of which is slidably mounted in the grooves of each of said tubes, a series of buckets adapted to be inserted in said tubes, means carried by said bails for. suspending said buckets above the Water-line of the generating-chamber, and operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer to successively release said buckets and permit them to fall, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating-chamber and with the gasometer, of a head adapted to be inserted and supported in the upper part of the generating-chamber, and of a depth to extend downward to the water-line in said chamber, whereby to fill up the air-space therein, said head having secured therein a series of depending tubes, a series of buckets, means for suspending said buckets Within said tubes, and means operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer to release said buckets and permit them to fall, substantially as described.

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating-chamber and with the gasometer,'ot a head adapted'to be inserted and supported in the upper part of the generating-chamber and provided with a series of tubes, a series of rectangular bails, one of which is slidably mounted in each ofsaid tubes and projects below the bottom thereof, a series of buckets, means for suspending said buckets from the tops of said bails and within said tubes, and means operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer to release said buckets and permit them to fall, substantially as described.

7. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating-chamber and with the gasometer, of a head adapted to be inserted and supported in the upper part of the generating-chamber and provided with a series of depending tubes, said tubes being provided with two encircling parallel rows of apertures, a series of buckets, each of which is provided with an encircling row of apertures, means for suspending said buckets within said tubes, means operated by the movement of the bell of the gasometer to release said buckets and permit them to fall into the water of the generating-chamber, and means for limiting the fall of said buckets whereby the row of apertures therein shall occupy a position intermediate the two rows of apertures in the tubes, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with the generating-chamber and with the gasometer, of a pipe affording comm unication between the two and having a vertical extension Within the geuerating-chamher, a carbid-container comprising a head having a tube, a hood secured within, and to one side of, said tube and adapted to cover the upper end of said pipe, and filtering material supported in said tube above the lower end of said hood, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in, presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD S. MARTINDALE.

Witnesses:

H. W. NEELY, EDWARD LINDSEY. 

